BY SPORT CORRESPONDENT
IN a bid to decentralize association football to the rural areas, Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) Manicaland, sanctioned the establishment of Division 3 soccer for Chibuwe and its environs in which ten affiliated clubs will start playing this weekend.
On 27 May, the ten club representatives met at Chibuwe High School and affiliations were collected. The ZIFA Manicaland fixtures secretary and administrators were present during the deliberations which gave rise to the unanimous decision to have the matches start this weekend.
“We are excited as ZIFA Manicaland that youths will have a chance to showcase their skills. Who knows, we might pick a Nakamba from these areas,” Mr Innocent Mlilo said.
There are ten teams which would have a winner to proceed to join the more competitive Division 2 league in 2024.
The teams are: Chibuwe Youth, Chibuwe High School, Chibuwe Sharp Shooters, Mutovhoti, Maronga, Musapingura Warriors, Musapingura Shooting Stars, Chicken Inn and New City.
Beki Musapingura, director of Musapingura Warriors said he was happy that his team would play competitive football and transport costs are negligible.
“It’s a step in the right direction. Our players should utilize this to make their talent be seen by both supporters and scouts from the higher leagues,” he said.
Pardon Maunganidze, the ZESA Chipangayi FC coach said his team would fight for the honours
He said: “We have been given an opportunity to go into the more competitive league without having to travel long distances to play football. I thank the organizers for coming to the party at the right moment.”
Chipinge has a Premier league team, Greenfuel FC, for the first time. With these initiatives, local talent might find itself in the thick of things come the window period.
Chimanimani boasts of a team in the second tier league, Division 1 and its club, Rusitu Tigers, is holding on in its maiden season.